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Product Details
Product Details
The English cucumber is longer (up to 18") and thinner than traditional cucumbers, with very small, soft seeds. 'Telegraph Improved' was developed in the 1800s for growing in greenhouses, but is now a favorite of home gardeners for the long, thin-skinned, burpless fruits that add a cool, mild flavor and a snappy crunch to salads and sandwiches. Cucumbers develop best when grown on a trellis and get regular moisture while fruits are forming.
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- Variety Info
- Sowing Info
- Growing Info
Variety Info
Days to Maturity: 60 days
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Type: Parthenocarpic, Burpless Slicing Cucumber (Learn More)
Native: Southern Asia
Hardiness: Frost-sensitive annual
Exposure: Full sun
Plant Dimensions: 8' vines
Variety Info: 10"–18" long, skinny, dark green fruits with sweet flesh. Vines can be up to 8' long.
Attributes: Frost Sensitive
Sowing Info
When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 60°F, ideally 70°–90°F.
When to Start Inside: 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date. Cucumbers are sensitive to root disturbance; sow in biodegradable pots.
Sprouts in: 5–10 days
Plant Seeds (Depth): ½"
Space Seeds: A group of 2 seeds every 12"
Row Spacing: 36"
Thinning: When 3 leaves, thin to 1 plant every 12"
Growing Info
Harvesting: Pick, and pick some more! Overly mature cucumbers on the vine will slow production of new cucumbers. Cut the stem rather than pulling at the fruit, as stems are fragile. To increase the quality and storage time, once picked, immediately immerse in cold water to disperse "field heat".
- Ethan A.Rated 5 out of 5 starsMay 20, 2026AMAZING!
First year gardener. These are growing beautifully!
EGEpic GardeningMay 25, 2026Hey Ethan,
What an incredible start to your gardening journey! We love hearing that your Telegraph Improved Cucumber Seeds are growing beautifully - you picked an amazing variety to begin with! Those cucumbers are going to be so delicious when they're ready. Thanks for sharing your first-year gardening success with us! Keep on growing 🌻️
- Loris M.Rated 5 out of 5 starsMar 10, 20245 Stars
I grew Marketmore cucumbers and these Telegraph. Both did well despite being planted in my new greenhouse in October. I love these English cucumbers especially for a sunumono type salad that I make. I left this first huge one on the vine too long and plain it was a little bitter...in the salad it was delicious. I learned to harvest sooner and none of the others have been bitter, just great tasting! I have more to harvest soon and more seedlings growing. It's going to be a fun growing year!
Which best describes you as a gardener? Beginner - Loris M.Rated 5 out of 5 starsJan 29, 20245 Stars
I planted these in October as seeds in my new greenhouse raised beds next to some Marketmore cucumbers. I wondered why this vine was drooping so much and pulled it up to find this hiding behind a huge leaf. :-) It had a bitter taste to it but I used it in a sunomono salad and it was delicious. I have another one growing and hoping for more.
- Theresa R.Verified BuyerRated 1 out of 5 starsJul 1, 2026Not successful
Planted seeds in 2 batches at different times in 2 different soil mixes. None grew seedlings. Disappointed.
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateEGEpic GardeningJul 6, 2026Hey Theresa,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts in a review. I've reached out to you via email to offer assistance. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we are committed to ensuring your experience is positive. Thank you once again for your input. Keep on growing 🌻️
- Adam H.Rated 5 out of 5 starsDec 6, 2025Vigorous and Highly Productive
Vines were nearly 20 feet long and produced more cucumbers than I could give away.
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateEGEpic GardeningDec 7, 2025Hey Adam,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with our Telegraph Improved Cucumber Seeds! Wow, 20-foot vines - that's absolutely incredible growth! We love hearing about such vigorous, productive plants that really deliver on their promise. Having more cucumbers than you could give away sounds like the best kind of problem to have! That's exactly what we hope for with these Telegraph Improved varieties - they really are workhorses in the garden. Thanks for sharing your amazing growing success with us and we hope you enjoyed every crisp, delicious bite! Keep on growing 🌻️
